Questions and Answers
Which literary period is characterized by individual freedom and the worth of the individual?
What is the defining feature of the Dark Romantics?
Which author is best known for the work 'Walden'?
What period is characterized by the exploration of the inner workings of the human mind?
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Which literary movement is associated with the 'Jazz Age'?
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What is a common theme of the Realism period?
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Which of the following aspects was valued during the Romanticism period?
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What is a key characteristic of Native American literature?
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What is a characteristic of Contemporary literature?
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Which work is authored by William Faulkner?
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What primary style did Puritan authors often use in their writings?
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Which of the following authors is associated with Puritanism?
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What did Rationalism emphasize as a means to arrive at truth?
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What period followed the time of the Revolutionary War?
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What was a defining belief of the Puritan authors regarding religion?
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What historical events characterized the period of 1800-1860?
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Study Notes
American Literature Timeline
Native American Literature (40,000-20,000 B.C.)
- Oral literature includes epics, creation myths, and songs.
- Stories impart moral lessons and offer practical knowledge about nature.
- Cultivated deep respect for nature and animals; embraced a cyclical worldview.
- Noteworthy use of figurative language and parallelism.
Puritanism (1600-1800)
- Characterized by diaries and histories focused on God’s influence in daily life.
- Aimed to purify the Church of England, viewing religion as a personal experience.
- Beliefs included original sin and the “elect” destined for salvation.
- Employed plain writing style.
- Notable works:
- William Bradford - “Of Plymouth Plantation”
- Jonathan Edwards - “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
- Edward Taylor - “Housewifery”
Rationalism (1750-1800)
- Emerged during the Revolutionary War, aligned with Enlightenment ideals.
- Comprised philosophers and writers emphasizing deductive reasoning over tradition.
- Key documents produced: The Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence.
- Notable works:
- Benjamin Franklin - Autobiography
- Thomas Paine - "The Crisis"
- Patrick Henry - Speech of the Virginia Convention
Romanticism (1800-1860)
- Produced alongside the War of 1812 and California Gold Rush.
- Emphasized feelings, intuition, idealism, and individual freedom.
- Valued imagination as a source of truth, viewing poetry as high art.
- Dark Romantics explored gothic themes and supernatural elements.
- Prominent authors include:
- Washington Irving - “Rip Van Winkle”
- Emily Dickinson - Poetry
- Edgar Allan Poe - “The Raven”
Transcendentalism (1840-1860)
- Coincided with abolitionist and women's suffrage movements, called "The American Renaissance".
- Belief that everything is a reflection of the Divine Soul, advocating for individuality and self-reliance.
- Emphasized intuition as a means to understand the divine.
- Significant works:
- Ralph Waldo Emerson - “Nature”, “Self-Reliance”
- Henry David Thoreau - “Walden”, “Life in the Woods”
Realism (1850-1900)
- Context of the Civil War and Reconstruction leading to widespread disillusionment.
- Focus on depicting everyday life and ordinary experiences in a realistic manner (regionalism).
- Addressed social issues like urban slums and the lives of factory workers.
- Explored psychological and social motivations behind human behavior.
- Important author:
- Mark Twain - “Huckleberry Finn”
Modernism (1900-1950)
- Contextualized within World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II.
- Bold experimentation with style and form; interest in stream of consciousness.
- Reflected a sense of disillusionment and a loss of faith in the “American Dream”.
- Landmark works:
- Lorraine Hansberry - “A Raisin in the Sun”
- William Faulkner - “A Rose for Emily”
- F. Scott Fitzgerald - “The Great Gatsby”
Harlem Renaissance (1920-1940)
- A cultural movement centered in Harlem, New York, also known as “The Jazz Age” and “The Roaring 20s”.
- Highlighted Black culture, with poetry reflecting rhythms of spirituals and jazz.
- Poetic forms varied from street vernacular to conventional lyrical formats.
- Key figures include:
- James Weldon Johnson
- Claude McKay
- Langston Hughes
Contemporary Literature (1950-present)
- Influenced by media, language studies, and information technology.
- Characterized by a sense that culture recycles itself with little originality.
- Experimentation with new literary forms including dialogue-only works and blending of fiction with nonfiction.
- Prominent author:
- Maya Angelou
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Description
Explore the rich heritage of Native American literature in this quiz. Learn about the oral traditions, epic narratives, and moral lessons that have shaped early American literature. Delve into the characteristics and significance of this literary period.
